BEATRICE.
The hardness of heart you prayed for... [She breaks off.]
RICHARD.
[Unheeding.] That is my last memory of him. Is there not something sweet and noble in it?
BEATRICE.
Mr Rowan, something is on your mind to make you speak like this. Something has changed you since you came back three months ago.
RICHARD.
[Gazing again at the drawing, calmly, almost gaily.] He will help me, perhaps, my smiling handsome father.
[A knock is heard at the hall door on the left.]
RICHARD.
[Suddenly.] No, no. Not the smiler, Miss Justice. The old mother. It is her spirit I need. I am going.
BEATRICE.
Someone knocked. They have come back.
RICHARD.
No, Bertha has a key. It is he. At least, I am going, whoever it is.
[He goes out quickly on the left and comes back at once with his straw hat in his hand.]
BEATRICE.
He? Who?